Quench 2022 - Issue 3

GUIDELINES FOR SMOOTHING YOUR RATE CHANGES

2022 TRWA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

NAVIGATING YOUR EPP'S NEXT STEPS

Issue 3 2022 www.tr wa.org

TRWA Today Established in 1969, the Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) is a statewide nonprofit trade association with an active membership consisting of 800 nonprofit water supply corporations, water districts, small-town water departments and investor-owned utilities. In addition, more than 200 water industry suppliers participate in TRWA activities as associate members. TRWA members provide water and wastewater service to 3 million customers throughout Texas.

TRWA is dedicated to helping directors, managers, operators and office professionals provide efficient service and clean, safe drinking water to their customers. Through on-site technical assistance, education and information exchange, TRWA helps its members better meet their needs as well as the needs of their customers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS President Bruce Alexander Medina (District 2) Vice-President Robert Nettles Walker (District 13) Secretary Mark Gardenhire Shackelford (District 1) Treasurer Steve Adams Brown (District 4) Immediate Past President Chris Boyd Denton (District 3)

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Dave McMurry Bastrop (District 5) Brian Macmanus Cameron (District 6) Allen Knight North Collin (District 7) Charles Beseda Hill (District 8) Pat Allen Guadalupe (District 9) Kent Watson Brazos (District 10) Rachel Webb South Rains (District 11) Paula Weber Kaufman (District 12) Matthew Barrett Swift (District 14)

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Main Office Line

TRWA STAFF

(512) 472-8951

LEADERSHIP TEAM Lara Zent Larry Bell Nichol Everingham Jason Knobloch Tom Shephard, CPA

Executive Director & General Counsel Technical Assistance Director Professional Development & Training Director Environmental Services Director Finance Director

ext. 101 ext. 138 ext. 134 ext. 137 ext. 102

OFFICE STAFF Melody Bennett Eric Betts Pam Cantrell Haley Dixon Lisa Gallo Chelsea Gomez Miles Hartman Deborah McMullan Kayla Mitchell Sonya Stocklin Ariane Walker Emily Young

Project Support Specialist Communications Director Accounting Support Specialist Apprenticeship Program Manager Meeting and Event Planner Training Development Specialist Course Development Specialist Membership and Outreach Manager Paralegal Office Manager Training Manager Assistant Environmental Services Director

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FIELD STAFF Robert Archer Nathan Cantrell Alex Eaves Roel Gonzalez Justin Guerra Paul King

Instructor Wastewater Technician Wastewater Technician FMT Specialist Member Services Specialist Circuit Rider

cell: (940) 783-6374 cell: (512) 924-7158 cell: (512) 964-7203 cell: (512) 923-5812 cell: (512) 317-8992 cell: (512) 913-9753

Tony Moreno Charles Perkins Bruce Pearson James Smith Donnie Stanton Quentin Turner Jewel Uzquiano William White Scott Willeford James Wallingsford Gilbert Ybarbo

Circuit Rider Circuit Rider Instructor Circuit Rider FMT Specialist FMT Specialist Source Water Protection Specialist Assistant Technical Assistance Director FMT Specialist FMT Specialist FMT Specialist

cell: (512) 924-4552 cell: (512) 964-2108 cell: (512) 922-4942 cell: (512) 964-9234 cell: (512) 774-9455 cell: (512) 517-9889 cell: (512) 354-0506 cell: (512) 924-4233 cell: (512) 657-8813 cell: (512) 865-8809 cell: (512) 317-2003

In Every Issue

From the Field

Letter from the President .........4

Working 9 to ?............16

Letter from the Executive Director ........5 Keep it Legal .........6

Answers to your legal questions

Ask Larry .........8

Answers to your technical questions

TRWA Briefs .........28

Small pieces of association news

How can operators find work-life balance when working for a utility sometimes means unpredictable hours?

Emergency Response Training........23

Texas was well represented at NRWA's Emergency Response Training in Louisiana in May.

Technical Assistance Spotlight........26

Learn more about the Circuit Riders and Wastewater Technicians helping systems across the state.

The Months Ahead .........31

TRWA’s Calendar of Events

Features

TRWA News

Rate Change Tips and Guidelines...18

New Staff Members....10

Tammy Benter with the PUC explains how to make your rate change go as smoothly as possible.

Navigating Your EPP's Next Steps...20

TRWA's Jason Knobloch takes you through implementing your Emergency Preparedness Plan

An introduction to the newest TRWA staff.

TRWA Scholarship Recipients....12

Meet the 12 students who received TRWA scholarships for the next school year.

Photostream Contest Winners.....24

See the winners of our annual photo contest.

on the cover:

This photo from Joel Moore was named the overall winner of our Photostream contest.

For more information on the contest, see page 24. photo by Joel Moore

Survey Says....25

Your input is needed for TRWA's 2022 Salary Survey and Rate Study

CONTACT THE EDITOR

Editorial and advertising inquiries may be sent to Eric Betts in the Communications Department at editor@trwa.org.

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President's Message Hello Texas Rural Water!

Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to become more involved in some of the inner workings of TRWA. While a primary ongoing mission of TRWA is to provide support for the rural water systems that make up the membership of TRWA, how this is done each day is not much different than how we manage the operations of our own water systems.

In my system, for example, the quietest part of my day is between 7 and 8 a.m., when I have the office to myself before the office opens. All bets are off when the doors open and the phones start ringing.

A day at TRWA is not much different. On any given day the staff is moving in multiple directions to make sure the needs of each member are met. No matter the directions – legislative, legal, training, technical, member services, state and federal contracts – your TRWA staff is there every day to support every one of us as much as possible.

Last month, I was able to attend a short course on Volunteer Leadership alongside our Executive Director Lara Zent that is designed to enhance the working relationship between volunteer leaders such as board members and the managers of an organization. I would recommend this training to every board member of every system to better understand the roles and relationships between managers and the elected officials they report too.

In addition, I was able to sit in on a Senate hearing on rural water infrastructure funding where TRWA Environmental Services Director Jason Knobloch testified about the need for funding of infrastructure improvements, currently estimated to be more than $300 billion for rural water systems in Texas based on recent system survey information provided to TRWA. 4 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

The next day Professional Development and Training Director Nichol Everingham testified in another Senate hearing on the workforce needs of rural water systems in Texas and the TRWA Apprenticeship Program.

Through our TRWA Contract Attorney Kristen Fancher, I was asked to provide input on behalf of TRWA in letters challenging new proposed rules at TxDOT for the use of right of ways and the PUC on how their rules are applied. While the staff at TRWA is constantly on the lookout for any potential changes to any agency rules and/or legislation that could have an impact on rural water systems in Texas, your voice, comments and support on issues that may impact your system are a key to our success. Please do not hesitate to contact your TRWA Director and/or the appropriate staff member to share any concerns you may have that TRWA can assist you in resolving.

In closing, I want to take the opportunity to congratulate each of our TRWA Awards of Excellence recipients at RuralWaterCon and each of our scholarship winners recognized in this issue.

Thank you to everyone that donated funds to make these scholarships possible through the Texas Rural Water Foundation.

Be safe, Bruce Alexander President TRWA

Letter from the TRWA Executive Director Dear TRWA Members, This is proving to be a challenging summer with extreme heat and water supplies drying up in some areas of the state. Summer brings high revenues for some utilities and water supply challenges for others.

Please keep your customers well-informed about the great work your team is doing to keep the water flowing, as well as challenges the utility is facing and ways your community can help.

The future is bright for rural Texas and rural water!

This issue features our 2022 scholarship winners.

It’s wonderful to read about these talented, driven, engaged and community-minded individuals from rural Texas who are pursuing higher education. I’m also very proud of the graduates of TRWA’s 3rd Emerging Leaders Class who were recognized at our Annual Convention in April. These individuals are upand-coming leaders in their rural water utilities and communities and we’re cultivating them to be future leaders and advocates for rural water.

In late July, we’re launching our first water and wastewater operator apprenticeship class. This program has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor under national standards submitted by the National Rural Water Association. We are one of 30 state rural water associations implementing this new program for our industry, which combines 288 hours of technical instruction with 4,000 hours of on-the-job training over a two-year period. Our goal

is to produce the best new operators in our industry and launch them into successful careers. Given the amount of training required, new operators will have the opportunity to graduate with a C water or wastewater license, CSI license and be eligible to apply for their B license 6 months after completing the program. We are actively recruiting new talent to become apprentices and utilities to hire them, and we are seeking funding to support participating utilities.

Earlier this month, 14 TRWA staff attended National Rural Water Association’s In-Service Training in Anaheim, California. This is an opportunity to receive training in our field and network with rural water association staff from across the country. We learn from each other and share ideas for how to better our programs for our members. I attended and met with the other rural water association executive directors, which I always find valuable.

With Tech Conference around the corner, it’s your opportunity to receive the latest industry training, network with your peers from around the state, and have fun. We’re looking forward to another big turnout and successful event this year. I hope to see you there!

My best,

Lara Zent Executive Director & General Counsel TRWA

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Keep It Legal Answers to Members’ Questions by TRWA Contract Attorney Kristen Fancher

Q:

Are Districts or WSCs eligible to receive direct funding under the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program?

A: No. The Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFRF) program is another subset of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that provided money to certain local governments in addition to the ARPA money provided directly to counties. The CLFRF money was distributed by the federal government directly to the Texas Department of Emergency Management, which then distributed the CLFRF money earmarked for smaller entities to Texas cities serving a population of less than 50,000.

We checked in with the Texas Department of Emergency Management to confirm that Texas rules on distribution of this round of funding for smaller units of local government did not extend to districts or WSCs. There is no federal funding directly available to water and sewer districts or WSCs. Some TRWA members have had success indirectly receiving ARPA funding through their counties. The legislation approving ARPA does allow the use of the funding delivered to the counties for water and wastewater infrastructure, but there is no requirement that the counties allocate any of the funding received for these purposes.

If your system has not already done so, I recommend you send a letter to your county or counties requesting ARPA funding, meet with the commissioners and ask to present at their meetings. TRWA provides resources for assisting with the ARPA request letters to counties as well as other funding options, available at: trwa.org/ page/funding.

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Q:

Is there a law or TxDOT rule specifying minimum distances between utility lines in TxDOT right-of-way?

A: Yes. Current Texas Department of Transportation (“TxDOT”) rule 43 Texas Administrative Code Section 21.40(a)(7) addresses the distance between utility lines in TxDOT right-of-way, as follows: Clearances. Except as specified in this subchapter, there shall be a minimum of 12 inches vertical and horizontal clearance between a new utility facility and an existing utility facility, unless a greater clearance is required by the district. However, if an installation of another utility facility or highway feature cannot take place without disturbing an existing utility facility, the minimum clearance will be 24 inches.

Many water and sewer utilities have found that the significant increase in fiber line installs over the last year have resulted in encroachment of water and sewer lines in the TxDOT right-of-way, in some cases where the fiber lines actually touch existing water and sewer lines.

Contacting the TxDOT District Engineer for your regional TXDOT office is a good first step in order to remedy how close the new fiber lines are to your water or sewer lines.

Be sure to reference the rule mentioned above. It is also a good idea to take photos and videos of the placement showing proof of the encroachment.

It is important to note that this encroachment issue within right-of-way is separate from a water or sewer line strike issue, which should be handled differently. For those utilities that are members of Texas 811 (Call Before You Dig Program), the water or sewer line damage reporting and recovery procedures in Chapter 251 of the Texas Utilities Code must be followed. For those utilities that are not

members of Texas 811, the method to recover monetary damages related to water or sewer line strikes usually begins with sending a bill and/or demand letter to the responsible party or parties, and in some cases involves lawsuits to recover the monetary damages owed. The damages may include the actual cost of the repair (materials and labor/staff time), gallonage for water loss, penalties set forth in the utility’s service policies and the costs of collection in some cases (court costs and attorney’s fees).

Q:

Is a water district required to establish an audit committee of the Board of Directors?

A: Yes. Section 49.199 of the Texas Water Code requires Districts to adopt six policies, including a code of ethics; a policy related to travel procedures; a policy related to districts investments; policies and procedures for selection, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating professional services; a uniform method of accounting and reporting for industrial development bonds and pollution control

bonds (if applicable) and policies that ensure a better use of management information.

The audit committee requirement falls under this last policy, along with the requirement to have budgets for use in planning and controlling cost and uniform financial reporting requirements as specified in this Section.

The policy should address how the audit committee will be formed and generally operate. The individuals comprising the audit committee do not necessarily have to be listed in the policy, but the policy should specify how the members of the audit committee will be selected. For example, the policy can state that the audit committee will be established by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Kristen Fancher has extensive experience in representing clients on water and other legal matters across the state of Texas.

TRWA Members can email legal@trwa.org for their legal inquiries or search the archive at https://www.trwa.org/page/KILHome.

Financing Solutions for Rural Water Systems In partnership with TRWA, CoBank can offer members specially negotiated terms.

Visit www.trwa.org/cobank or contact John DeLuca at 303-694-5958

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2/12/21 7:04 AM

Ask Larry: Quality on Tap

A Q&A column with TRWA Technical Assistance Director Larry Bell

Q:

Our system is struggling to find necessary supplies for maintenance and operations. What are systems supposed to do if we cannot get distribution supplies to make repairs, set meters or extend water mains?

A: This is a problem that has plagued many systems across the state, and which has spawned some creative solutions from systems willing to change their typical operating procedures.

For instance, some systems looking to install new or replace older water distribution mains have suggested that the specifications on the bid be amended to allow for the use of Cast Iron, Ductile or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. With the price of 12-inch PVC pipe going from $12 per foot to over $40 per foot, changing their specs in some cases has resulted in a savings of 50% or more, since these other types of pipes may be more readily available. One system I've heard from said that since the HDPE pipe comes in 600-to-800-foot rolls (depending on diameter of the pipe) installation is not as labor-intensive since there are fewer joints than using 20-foot lengths of PVC. For some supplies such as fittings and valves, systems have changed their ordering procedures so they can order a year's worth of supply rather than what they would use in a month. Sometimes ordering larger numbers of supplies can be organized into smaller partial shipments in quantities needed for their monthly demands.

Some systems have gone back to the “neighbors helping neighbors” approach. If a system needs some brass or clamps/repair couplings and are unable to find them at their suppliers, they'll contact neighboring systems to see if they can borrow what they might need until their suppliers come through. One system stated that their inventory 8 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

stock and their needs rarely align perfectly, and this type of collaboration can help smooth rough patches for many systems.

One note of caution: Systems must remain vigilant verifying that the supplies, pipe and other materials meet state and federal requirements, whether that's ASME, NSF, Buy American Act or other loan conditions some lenders have in place. Systems have mentioned checking with suppliers only to find some of the pipe being offered might not meet all of these standards. Be careful that your solutions to shortages don't create additional problems.

Q:

We are trying to obtain money to purchase a better well pump. Right now, we're using a 150 GPM pump for our storage tank of 80,000 gallons. What is the maximum size pump we are eligible to use for this size of tank? We are trying to be proactive and purchase one to handle a growing population.

A: There is no rule or ratio between the size or gallons per minute (GPM) a well can produce relative to the size of the tank the well is discharging into. But there are regulations in the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 290 which requires all Public Water Systems (PWS) to get prior approval from the TCEQ before altering the capacity of any well pump, booster pump, treatment capacity, storage capacity and so on.

Take, for example, a scenario in which a system’s well was drilled and developed to produce 500 GPM, but the earlier board or management decided to only install a 250 GPM well pump and motor. Systems may need to do some review of the original plans for that well to see if the engineer listed a 500 GPM or the 250 GPM well

pump and motor.

If it was only approved for the 250 GPM, then the PWS would now have to get approval from TCEQ to make this change to the well production from 250 GPM to the larger pump capacity.

One important consideration is whether this increased capacity will make the well cycle on and off more times per day and thus cost more on the electric bill because of the short cycling times of the newer larger pump.

Many systems opt to install a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) electrical controller, which can be set to vary the pumping rate/GPM from 50% of the new well’s capacity up to the full 100% capacity with the new pump/motor.

This option allows the well to run for longer periods of time, thus saving the extra electrical costs for multiple starts and stops of a motor which does not have a VFD. Finally, if your system is needing more well capacity there is a good chance that you also need more storage capacity. You should check with your engineer about options for compliance with the total gallons of storage at that location.

Q:

We have a customer building a large metal fence along our easement and on top of our water main.

If this customer refuses to relocate the fence, what action can we take to make sure it is moved?

A: First, you need to verify that there is a copy of the filed easement in the county deed records and in the system’s records. Next, you’ll need to contact the landowner to inform them that their fence is encroaching on your legal easement area and the fence must be relocated to allow the system full access to that recorded easement area. The earlier you notify them, the better, so it’s easier for them to change their plans. In the alternative, the landowner could provide an easement further inside their property and pay to relocate the water main there.

It is important to document the efforts taken to inform the customer of their violation of the easement area, whether it is by phone, email, mailed notice or personal on-site visit. If you cannot resolve the matter amicably, you’ll need this documentation if you end up in a legal proceeding to enforce your easement rights.

It is up to each system to police their own easements.

We have encouraged systems to include information in newsletters, with water bills and/or post reminders to inform customers about checking with the utility on where water lines are located before they dig to install fences or other infrastructure on their property.

Larry Bell is TRWA's Technical Assistance Director, with more than 30 years experience at the association.

If you have a Technical Question, please email larry.bell@trwa.org or search the archive at https://trwa.org/qualityontap/

J. F. FONTAINE & ASSOCIATES, INC. CONSULTING ENGINEERS RURAL WATER SYSTEM ENGINEERING SINCE 1962 700 N. Sycamore St. P.O. Box 4187 Palestine, Texas 75802

(903) 729-6005 jffontaine@jffontaine.com

Are You the Person We’re Looking For? TRWA is now hiring for multiple positions.

Come work with us to support rural water utilities in Texas.

Visit trwa.org/trwajobs to learn more.

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TRWA News

TRWA welcomes two longtime water professionals to its staff

TRWA has grown its staff this May, adding a pair of water utility industry veterans to help systems and their employees. Each holds a Class A Water license.

courses for t wo y e a rs , a n d h a s also worked as an instructor for the National Utilit y Construction Association and the Texas Forest S e r v i c e , w h e re he worked with volunteer fire departments.

Robert Archer has joined our Training Department as a new Instructor.

Robert was born in Sherman, Texas and has lived in Texas his entire life, except for his time in the U.S. Army, Robert Archer Tony Moreno where he was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado and spent time overseas more than 20 years. He graduated in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

In addition to Robert, we also wel- from Texas State University in 1996 comed Tony Moreno to our Technical with a bachelor's degree in engineerRobert had previously worked at Assistance staff as a Circuit Rider, ing technology. Tony enjoys spending multiple towns and cities in Texas, where he will largely cover the re- his free time in the outdoors, be it huntbut joined TRWA from the city of Fort gions of southern and western Texas. ing, fishing or playing golf.

Worth, where he worked his way up from meter reader to supervisor. He Tony is based out of Laredo, where We look forward to having both has been instructing TCEQ-approved he has been a water professional for Robert and Tony on our staff.

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Texas Rural Water Foundation Student Scholarship Recipients Dwayne Jekel Scholarship

Julia Macmanus

Hometown: Harlingen, TX| School: Texas A&M | Major: Business

Julia Macmanus graduated as valedictorian of Harlingen High School's class of 2022. She was an AP Scholar, captain and regional qualifier with the tennis team, historian of the National Honor Society and president of the Har-Tex 4-H Club and the Cameron County 4-H Council.

Julia completed more than 250 hours of community service during her time in high school, including volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House, Valley Haven Children’s Shelter, Loaves and Fishes, local churches, hospitals and families.

After obtaining her degree, she plans to attend law school to concentrate on business law to help clients in rural Texas.

Legacy Scholarship

Legacy Scholarship

Mariah Persyn

Ashlyn Persyn

Hometown: Dunlay, TX School: Texas A&M Major: Landscape Architecture

Hometown: Dunlay, TX School: Texas A&M Major: Landscape Architecture

Mariah Persyn is the daughter of Kelly and Russell Persyn.

She graduated from Medina Valley High School where she was ranked 5th in her class of 422 students.

Ashlyn Persyn was raised on a cattle ranch in Dunlay, TX. She graduated from Medina Valley High School and ranked 4th in her class of 422 students.

Mariah took on leadership positions in a variety of clubs including the FFA, Student Council and National Honor Society. Spending time helping her community is important to Mariah. She worked giving away plants for the non-profit organization Be Kind Castroville, created art for Tanner’s Tablemats, which provides Meals on Wheels community centers with placemats, and tutored students through Peers for Positive Change.

Ashlyn is a leader on and off campus. She served as reporter for several different clubs during high school including the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and Student Council and co-managed the school greenhouse with her twin sister. She volunteered potting plants with the nonprofit Be Kind Castroville, hand-drawing placemats for Tanner’s Tablemats and tutoring others through Peers for Positive Change.

She played club volleyball, was a member of the Hondo Cyber Owl’s cybersecurity competition team and has been a kindergarten classroom aide at her church. Mariah works part-time as a checker for H-E-B. Mariah earned the honor of 2021 Co-Outstanding Jr. Citizen of the Year. She received a nationwide National Honor Society Scholarship and was named a Borlaug Scholar by The Texas Youth Institute.

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She was a member of a cybersecurity team, played club volleyball with the San Antonio Hornets and was a classroom aide at her church, working with first- and second-grade students. Ashlyn also works part-time at H-E-B as a checker.

Recently, Ashlyn was named the 2021 Co-Outstanding Jr. Citizen of the Year. She received a nationwide National Honor Society Scholarship and was named a Borlaug Scholar by The Texas Youth Institute.

Payton Deichler Hometown: Utopia, TX | School: SMU Major: Finance & Spanish

Payton has lived in Utopia with his family since he was three years old. He ranked second in his class in Utopia ISD and served as Student Council President, President of the Utopia FFA, and Secretary and Treasurer of the National Honor Society. He played tennis, golf, baseball and participated on the track team.

Payton has volunteered with Keep Utopia Beautiful, the Utopia Holiday Food Drive, the Wounded Warriors project, and as a tutor in Utopia ISD. He also started Payton's Snack Shack in school to provide free nutritious snacks to students, no questions asked.

In addition to his double major, Payton will participate in the Pre-Law Scholars and the Hilltop Scholars Honors Programs at SMU.

Zachary W Gray Hometown: Harlingen, TX School: West Texas A&M Major: Environmental Engineering & Plant, Soil, Environmental Science

Zachary graduated Summa Cum Laude from South Texas ISD Science Academy in May. Zachary has been actively involved with 4-H for 10 years, showing pigs, rabbits, poultry, and a lamb, as well as other project work. He is most proud of his small showpig operation he started in fifth grade and his involvement with the Texas 4-H Water Ambassador program, where he has traveled the state advocating on water topics.

Zachary’s family has farmed in the Rio Grande Valley for almost 100 years and he looks forward to continuing that legacy. His career interest is to advocate and solve water problems for Texas farmers and ranchers. Zachary also plays the piano, enjoys wildlife photography, and loves to spend time reading, fishing and hunting.

Josh Smith Hometown: Kingsland, TX School: Liberty University Major: Business Administration

Josh and his wife Jennifer live with their three kids (Axton, Bravery and Charlotte) in Kingsland, Texas, where he has worked at Kingsland Water Supply since 2008.

After starting in the water utility field, Josh worked his way into the position of Cross Connection Control Coordinator. Shortly after taking that role, he was asked to help the administration office in monthly financial reporting and customer relations. In 2016, he was promoted to Customer Service Supervisor.

Currently, Josh is focusing his attention on Customer Relations and working as the Financial Officer for KWSC. Josh and Jen have served as Lead Pastor of The Sanctuary Marble Falls since 2019 and as the District Youth President for the South-Central Texas District of the UPCI. Their summers are spent travelling to speak at youth conferences, camps and mission trips.

Rebekah Brockett Hometown: Cleburne, TX School: Texas A&M Major: Animal Science

Rebekah Brockett is a senior at Cleburne High School, who will graduate in the top 10 percent of her class. She grew up in Cleburne, Texas, with a father who works as an engineer and a mother who is a veterinarian. Her hobbies consist of riding horses, flying planes, and playing the fiddle.

Rebekah has been accepted into Texas A&M University, where she will be majoring in Animal Science. After graduation she hopes to work as an equine vet, and in pursuit of this goal she works now at the Burleson Equine Hospital. There she works under two doctors learning about equine medicine and gaining experience as a vet tech.

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TRWA News

Canon Wiese

Hadley Harris

Hometown: Carlsbad, TX School: Angelo State University Major: Agribusiness

Hometown: Poth, TX School: Texas A&M Major: Agricultural Economics

Canon Wiese is the oldest son of Ben and Jennifer Wiese. He graduated in 2022 as the salutatorian at Water Valley High School.

Canon is a National Honor Society member and has proudly represented his high school in football, basketball and track.

As a member of FFA, he has been on the cotton judging team, shown heifers and designed and constructed projects for agricultural mechanics competitions.

Canon’s late grandfather, Benjie Wiese, and now his dad operated three rural water districts as well as their own privately owned water utility. Canon has seen firsthand the work that goes in to providing clean drinking water to rural communities.

In 2019, Canon built a water transport trailer that was put to good use during the winter storm of 2021.

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Hadley Harris is a recent graduate of Poth High School, where she was the salutatorian. Her mother is a teacher and her dad an ag lender, and the family raises commercial cattle and trains a few horses.

Hadley has held leadership positions in academic, rodeo, athletic and 4-H clubs. She has shown steers, heifers, commercial heifers, chickens, turkeys, and baked goods along with serving as a State 4-H Livestock and Equine Ambassador. She has competed in the rodeo events of breakaway and barrel racing, as well as golf, softball and volleyball. She also gives horse riding lessons to kids in her community.

Her long-term goals are to give back to her community, donate to 4-H, and serve as a role model for younger generations.

TRWA News

Mackenzie Walker

Tobi Jackson

Hometown: Paris, Texas School: University of Texas - Austin Major: Accounting

Hometown: Grandview, TX School: Texas A&M Major: Animal Science

Mackenzie Walker is a graduate of North Lamar High School in Paris, Texas.

She was part of the Speech and Debate team, theater tech crew, the North Lamar cheerleading team and is active in National Honor Society and the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Mackenzie volunteered one period of her daily school schedule to work with elementary students on English and Language Arts, as well as aiding the teacher with her lesson plans. She also volunteered with Tailored Rides, which aids children with physical and mental disabilities through equine therapy.

After receiving her undergraduate degree, Mackenzie hopes to further her education by attending law school and specializing in either family or international law.

Tobi Jackson has completed her high school career at Grandview High School, where she graduated 4th in her class.

She was a yearbook staff member, National Honor Society member and an FFA member, where she competed in leadership development, career development, speaking events, officer teams and showed goats.

Tobi was a two-year varsity volleyball player who made the Academic All-State team and a UIL Academic competitor who qualified for regionals all four years. She served as a Chisholm Trail District Vice President, NHS President and FFA President.

Tobi will attend Texas A&M University in the hopes of pursuing a career in the human or animal medical field.

Stormy Tatum Hometown: Gatesville, TX| School: Texas A&M | Major: Business/Pre-Law

Stormy Tatum graduated from Gatesville High School in 2022. She was a member of student counciI, the yearbook editor and a National Honor Society member, as well as a member of the tennis team, where she was state runner-up twice. She plans to major in Business/Pre-Law in hopes of pursuing her dream career in law, particularly related to the topics of rural water corporations, rural cooperatives or governmental issues.

TRWA would like to thank our sponsors HydroPro Solutions, which sponsored five $1,000 scholarships, and Hawkins, Inc., which sponsored one $2,000 scholarship. The Dwayne Jekel scholarship, in the amount of $3,000, is provided by an endowment set up by the family of Dwayne Jekel, who served on the TRWA board for 30 years. The Legacy Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500 each, is funded by current and past board members of the Texas Rural Water Association: Kent Watson, Wickson Creek SUD; Chris Boyd, Mustang SUD; Charles Beseda, Birome WSC; Leahmon Bryant, Caddo Basin SUD and Allen Knight, North Collins SUD.

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Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 15

From the Field

Working 9 to ?

Working for a utility often means long, unpredictable hours. How can operators make time for themselves outside of work?

By Donnie Stanton It was our first anniversary. My wife and I had planned a wonderful evening at a nice restaurant and a movie afterwards. I was on call that week, but I had arranged someone to take my callouts after a certain time. One came in early in the day and my wife asked me to go ahead and ask my coworker to take it, but I said I would handle this one and let him have the rest. It shouldn’t take long.

family side of my life, and she came to understand the unpredictability of the utility industry, how there would be plenty of “those days.”

Professionals in the water and sewer service industry have much to be proud of. The very fact that most people don’t know we exist is a great way to know we are doing a good job of keeping things flowing, but there is a cost to that reliability, which can If you’ve been in this business for any manifest itself in potential damage to length of time, you probably already personal relationships and long-term know how this ends. Not only did damage to health. the call end up taking a lot longer than I thought, it became a massive Many utility professionals have event, the type you call in everybody who’s not out celebrating his first anniversar y to handle. I arrived back home six hours later to a very unhappy spouse, who did not take kindly to my job being placed before her in importance.

Thirty-two years later we both laugh at that event, but we also learned a great deal from it. I learned to put a higher priority on the 16 Quench — 2022 — Issue 1 3

difficulty leaving work at work. We are often driven men and women who take the responsibility of our job very seriously, who are attracted to the high degree of job satisfaction and the fact that we perform an essential service for our communities.

It is difficult to turn off just because we punch a clock. Operators of systems, especially small rural systems, are always on call, and the proverbial 2 a.m. emergency is all too often a reality. Holidays are seldom truly relaxing; rounds and readings still need to be collected, and there is always the possibility of field emergencies. Our family and friends understand that there will be times when we will get a call and must excuse ourselves and go make sure that our members and customers have reliable water and sewer service.

But to keep ourselves balanced, we must learn to take care of ourselves mentally, physically and spirit u a l l y.

Before we can do our jobs, we have to live our

"

From the Field

"Before we can do our jobs, we have to live our lives, which means being intentional about having a life outside of work.

lives, which means being intentional about having a life outside of work.

Here are some ways to cultivate that: •

Fostering relationships with family and friends. Spending adequate time with the ones you love is a major part of life off the clock. There’s a reason for the cliche that nobody ever writes “I should have spent more time at work” on their tombstone.

Sometimes this does mean getting creative. I have met some small I.O.U. system operators who are able take their children and spouses on their daily runs or scheduled sampling events. This can merge work and family time into a core family memory.

•

Take your vacation. Vacation time is there to used. Operators are famous for not taking vacations and choosing to be paid for that time instead. That downtime is important not just for you but for the people around you and needs to be treated as a priority.

Even if you have a “staycation,” set time aside when you’re unavailable to work. If at all possible, turn the work phone off while on vacation.

•

"

activity you choose, make sure it week. By working together to balance engages your body and mind. the needs of the staff and the needs of the system, management can help • Don’t neglect your spiritual prevent burnout among employees. side. The spiritual part of human nature is often forgotten about. Bottom line: Our job is important to If we do not feed our spirit self, society and public health, but we canthe other parts will suffer. It can not be completely effective in that job be organized church or other re- if we don’t have our priorities in the ligious organizations, or activities right order. We are only on this earth related to serving others. Daily for a little while, make the best of a quiet time is also a way to feed diverse life that positively impacts as our spiritual side; the discipline many people as possible. necessary to set aside this time is a reward in itself.

Donnie Stanton is an FMT This isn’t something operators can do alone. We’ve been lucky, at least in my Assistance little corner of Texas, to have utility Specialist at management that understands the TRWA. need for downtime in the lives of operators. Schedule rotations are enforced. Adequate numbers of staff take their turns to be on-call.

Management can also help by worki ng to educate customers about what is truly an emerg ency. An entire crew usuPursue active hobbies. If you’ve ally does not need always joked that your hobby to be called in on is work, then find another one. the weekend to Golf, fishing, hunting, wood or repair a small sermetal working and gardening are vice line water leak all great activities that can keep in a ditch just beyou active and provide diversion cause a customer from the job, but there are count- i s u p s e t a b o u t less options out there that could not being able to fill this niche for you. Whichever mow that spot this Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 17

Features

Give your rate change the best chance of success by following these guidelines from the Public Utilities Commission of Texas Before your board of directors decides to increase the water or sewer rates charged to customers, there are several best management practices (BMPs) to consider. Sometimes, no matter what you do to prepare for a rate increase, the customers still protest and appeal the board’s decision to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas. By instituting the steps below, you can both help the board make its decision and make the process easier at the PUC in the event of an appeal.

Budget

Have a copy of the board’s approved budget for the 12-month period before and the 12-month period after the decision was made to change the rates. These records can be used to show what increases in expenses have or will occur and what expenses you already know will be changing. If you prepare a rate study before deciding to change the rates, the budget will be reviewed and used to prepare the rate study. If you did not prepare a rate study Rate Study and changed your rates, information in your budget can be Prepare a rate study before making the decision useful in justifying your decision to change the rates because, to increase the water or sewer rates. A rate study more than likely, the budget existed prior to the decision to contains information on your cost of service and mon- change your rates. etary needs to keep solvent. The rate study will consider Tariff Review & Amendments your current cash on hand, grants, loans, expenses, repairs, It is always a good practice to review your boardsalaries, contract labor and other information. If your approved tariff annually to see if it contains the customers appeal your decision to change the rates, the rate study will become very helpful in justifying the need information necessary. The tariff should contain a fee schedule and customer service policies. If these are outand the amount of your rate change. dated, they should be updated. If you are going to change The board of directors can only use the information that your rates, you can also update other information in your was available to them at the time the decision was made tariff at the same time. Review the tariff to ensure the fee to change the rates. Some boards decide to prepare a rate schedule includes the base rate and gallonage charges for study only if the customers appeal the board’s decision to all your meter sizes. Also review your tap fee and expenses increase the rates. Because this study didn’t exist before to determine if your tap fee is still adequate. If you do not the rate change, it cannot be used to justify the new rates have a developer clause and you anticipate growth in your service area, you may want to consider adopting a developer at the PUC. clause. If you do make changes to your tap fee or clauses, then having documentation to demonstrate you recently Engineering Study Based on the age and needs of your retail public conducted a tariff review may be used to justify your deciutility, you may want to hire a consultant to prepare sion if an appeal is filed. an engineering study. The study will give you guidance on Customer Classes and Number of what system repairs, improvements or enhancements are Customers necessary. Once you have this information, you may prioriCollect information from your system operators to tize the needs of your system and solicit a rough estimate of the costs involved. You may then use this information determine the number of customers and meter sizes you to make an informed decision about making a change to have in your system. In addition, look at usage information to determine the amount of water billed and the amount your rates. of water sold so you can determine line loss. Determine 18 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

Features whether your customers are residential, industrial or com- online to provide transparency in the ratemaking process. If mercial. Based on their usage and characteristics, you may your rate increase will be high, consider phasing in the rate want to establish customer classes when designing rates. change over a two- or three-year period to avoid rate shock.

Again, documentation that you reviewed this information when deciding on a rate change is helpful when justifying Select Subject Matter Experts your decision if an appeal is filed.

If you’ve done your homework and the customers still decide to appeal the board’s decision to change the retail water and sewer rates, you will need to begin preDocumentation Keep good, organized books and records. Maintain paring for a contested case hearing. You will need subject copies of all receipts for capital expenses. Because matter experts to prepare written testimony with informahard copy receipts fade over time, keep electronic copies of tion to justify the decision to change the rates. Subject matter these items. They will come in handy when conducting rate experts can be hired consultants, current staff members or and engineering studies, doing budgeting and planning and contractors. You will want to meet with your subject matter experts and provide them with your ratemaking methodoljustifying your rate increase. ogy and the information that was available to your board at the time they made the decision to change the rates. If you Rates Committee Hold a board meeting and inform the customers do not already have an attorney, you may want to hire one that you are looking at changing your rates. Establish to help you with the hearing process. Keep diligent books a Rates Committee to include staff, members from the board and records to keep track of rate case expenses that may and customer volunteers. If you provide water or sewer be passed on to customers in certain instances at the end service to more than one system, you may want to ask for of the hearing process. a customer volunteer from each of the systems to be on the Rates Committee. The Rates Committee will review all Tammy Benter is the Director of Utility Outreach at the the information and make a recommendation to the board of directors regarding changes, amounts and reasons for a Public Utility Commission of Texas. rate change, if needed. Oftentimes, the customers are more accepting of a rate change decision if they feel they are represented in the decision-making process.

Customer Meetings

If your board has made the decision to change its rates, be as transparent as possible about the rate change and the reasons for making this decision.

Conduct customer meetings and post information online to allow the customers time to review and process the information.

Settlement

The first step in the contested hearing process occurs after the PUC sends the petition to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). SOAH schedules the hearing and assigns an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to preside over the case. At the prehearing conference, an ALJ will name the parties to the case and give the parties an opportunity to reach a settlement on the appeal.

Be prepared to enter into a settlement with the parties. If a settlement cannot be reached that day, ask to build additional time into the schedule to attempt mediation and reach a settlement. Work with your customers and help them understand the reasons for the rate change and provide copies of rate studies and any engineering studies at the hearing or Quench — 2022 — Issue 2 19 Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 19

Features

Navigating the next steps of your utility's EPP Implementing SB 3's Emergency Preparedeness Plan takes time, planning and money.

Here's a road map to make the process easier and your system's plan more comprehensive.

By Jason Knobloch

added further potential options for compliance. The template is composed of 14 options, some with more than one In June of 2021, Texas state legislators passed Senate section, and allows for a system to simply pick any one to Bill 3 (SB3), introducing a new regulatory requirement satisfy the requirement. (See sidebar on opposite page.) for public water systems related to extended power outages during emergency events. Under this new require- Though TCEQ states that they will allow a water system to ment, public water systems must develop and submit to pick only one, TRWA recommends thoroughly reviewing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) all the options in their entirety and selecting all options an Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) that describes that might apply. Consideration needs to be given to the how the utility will maintain a likelihood of the option selected minimum of 20 psi throughout being an effective way to contheir distribution system during tinue the supply of water to extended power outages lasting customers at no less than 20 psi. more than 24 hours.

The regulation does not include a specific timeframe of how long This new requirement was driven you must supply this minimum

by Winter Storm Uri in February pressure, but it is best to plan of 2021. The impact across the for three days or 72 hours when state, affecting all 254 counconsidering your options. ties to some degree or another, caused a sense of panic regardThe requirement to submit your ing how utilities are preparing EPP was March 1, 2022, with an themselves for events of this implementation date of July 1, magnitude.

2022. A 90-day extension can be granted by TCEQ by simply The requirement of completing, emailing PDWEPP@tceq.texas. submitting and implementing gov. Note, the extension can an EPP was directed at what only be used for one deadline TCEQ labels an affected utility. or the other. Our recommendaThis term is defined as a “retail tion has been to comply with the public utility, exempt utility or March 1 deadline, but request provider or conveyer of pothe extension for implementation table or raw water service that if needed. furnishes water service to more than one customer, provides In addition to choosing an overnight accommodations, and is not an affected utility option(s) on your EPP, you must supply basic system inforunder Texas Water Code, Section 13.1395.” This encom- mation including diagrams and schematics of your pump passes more than your standard WSCs and Districts, but stations and electrical layout. Many TCEQ regions actually obligates certain RV parks, hotels, campgrounds and many create diagrams of your pump station layouts when they others that supply water to multiple customers. conduct Comprehensive Compliance Investigations (CCI).

If you don’t have diagrams of your plants already, contact To help systems meet their EPP requirement, TCEQ began your TCEQ region to see if they can assist. with a template that was imposed on Fort Bend and Harris County utilities in 2009 and 2011 after disasters there and SB3 also required that you file a list of your critical 20 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

TCEQ's 14 Emergency Preparedness Options for Water Utilities

1 Permanently installed automatic

starting auxiliary generator(s) If you are in the market to purchase a generator, know that the lead time is currently 40-56 weeks in many cases. Also, evaluate your facilities to see if you could upgrade components such as Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) or soft starts for your motors. This can allow you to purchase a smaller generator to meet the minimal demands of your system and could save you money.

2a Your system will rely on your

provider during an extended power outage Verify that your contract states you will continue to receive water. I’ve seen cases where contracts clearly state that there is no guarantee during emergency events.

2b Member of TXWARN

TRWA has partnered with TXWARN to broaden our network of utilities we can help, but we give priority to our members using our equipment and our emergency response partner utilities across the state.

3a Negotiation of leasing and

contracting agreements Ensure that the company you lease through guarantees availability to fulfill your agreement during emergency events. Companies often sign leases with a thought of not needing to fill them all at once. Winter Storm Uri challenged those agreements in 2021.

3b Mutual Aid Agreement(s) with other water providers

4 Use of portable generator(s)

systems.

Call your neighboring systems and ask what connection types they are using. This is helpful in events where you can help a neighbor or request help if needed and equipment matches up for connections.

5

Use of on-site electrical generation or distributed generation facilities.

Solar, wind, etc. This option is available if you can install or have the ability to generate enough power onsite to operate your facilities and provide water to your customers.

6 Hardening the electric transmission and distribution system serving the water system.

This option would likely be done by joint efforts between the water utility and electrical provider.

7 Use and maintenance of direct

engine or right-angle drives.

This option requires that direct engine or rightangle drives be previously installed and cannot be added to satisfy the EPP requirements.

8a Designation of the water sys-

tem as a critical load facility Many utilities are being designated as a critical load facility, but are not guaranteed power during emergency situations.

8b

Recognition of the water system as having redundant, isolated or dedicated electrical feeds.

This option would likely be done through joint efforts between the water utility and electrical provider.

capable of serving multiple facilities equipped with quick-connect

components with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) through their online filing process by November 1, 2021. Ths is a separate filing from the EPP filing with TCEQ, and it applies to both water and wastewater facilities, unlike the EPP, which is required only of water utilities. You can

find directions and other information regarding this filing on PUC’s website by visiting trwa.org/epparticle1. To date, only 1,461 systems have filed their critical load information with the PUC, and for those that have not yet filed, it is recommended that you do so immediately and through the

9

Provide water storage capabilities This allows the use of elevated storage to supply adequate pressure above 20 psi for a set duration of time.

10a

Water is delivered to your distribution system from outside your service area using an emergency interconnect.

10b

Water is delivered to your distribution system from outside your service area using a water hauler.

TCEQ can provide a list of approved water haulers

11

Water system has the ability to provide water through artesian flows

12 Redundant interconnectivity

between pressure zones.

Systems with multiple pressure planes that can connect the system by opening valves and allowing water to service the whole system. The downside of this is when the entire system is down, how long will your storage tanks supply water?

13 Use of emergency water de-

mand rules to maintain emergency operations.

This option is designed to delay the demand normally put on the system. This option is often paired with option 9.

14 Any other alternative deter-

mined by the commission to be acceptable.

This allows for the system to prove up other options not included above that can provide continuous water at no less than 20 psi.

confidential method in the PUC filing system.

Implementation is where the system is putting what has been selected in their plan into action. For many, fixed Continued on next page

Features or mobile generators are already in place, so implementation is not an issue. However, for those opting for the use of generators and needing to purchase one, supply chain issues have had a major impact on these timelines. This also goes for distribution parts and supplies such as PVC pipe and electronic components. TCEQ is aware of the supply chain issues and have been accepting a longer implementation time as long as the water system has documentation showing that purchase orders have been made and/or contractors have been scheduled to install the equipment once available. A recommendation would be to contact TCEQ through the PDWEPP@tceq.texas.gov email address to update them on your situation and provide documentation that you are making a good faith effort to implement your preparedness plan.

The biggest question, as usual, is “how do we pay for this?” While there is no quick answer to this question, there are options. Unfortunately, some opportunities for funding have already passed.

However, there are many hazard mitigation grant funds still out there that may qualify to purchase components such as generators through Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), FEMA and your local Council of Governments. CoBank, Texas Water

Development Board and the United States Department of Agriculture always have funding programs that qualify for loans and/or grants.

you will need to make the edits and resubmit to all the entities listed on the EPP document: TCEQ, TDEM and your county officials. The only other time resubmission will be needed is if Another route is federal funding pro- your plan is put to the test and it fails. vided to cities and counties through Many utilities in Fort Bend and Harris the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). counties have had to resubmit after We unfortunately have not witnessed major events such as hurricanes when a lot of success going this route, but their minimum pressure was not met. there have been some cases where the county has allotted funds to sur- This process can seem daunting as it rounding water utilities to purchase requires a lot of forethought and plangenerators. We suggest you reach ning. However, help is available and out to your county officials and pose ready to assist you. TCEQ’s Financial, the question regarding the funds they Managerial, and Technical Assistance received. In my experience, attending program provides free, on-site assisthe county commissioner meetings and tance to walk you through this process. stating this request has helped get the To request assistance, contact TCEQ conversation started.

FMT at FMT@tceq.texas.gov or call (512) 239-4691. For more information A financial waiver is available for about EPP, visit trwa.org/epparticle4. small systems that can prove that implementation of the EPP will be If you have any questions regarding a significant burden to the utility’s this article or need any clarification customers. For more information on about the EPP, contact Jason Knobloch the waiver, read through RG-553 at Jason.Knobloch@trwa.org or (512) which can be found at trwa.org/ 915-7246. epparticle3.

Jason Knobloch is TRWA's As for updates, the EPP does not have Director of to be resubmitted on a scheduled interval. However, if you do add a new Membership facility that will be critical to maintainand ing water to your customers or a comEnvironmental ponent that changes your EPP options, Services.

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22 Quench — 2022 — Issue 2

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TRWA News

TRWA at NRWA Emergency Response Training

Texas was well represented at the National Rural Water Association's annual Emergency Response Training, held this May in Alexandria, Louisiana. In addition to TRWA staff members, TRWA Immediate Past President Chris Boyd and the Mustang SUD Critical Resource Team made the trip to show off some of their hardware to the attendees. Kent Watson, TRWA Board Member and NRWA Immediate Past President, also attended. The event included three days of demonstrations, safety trainings and presentations on how water systems can best serve their customers and communities during times of crisis.

Practical Infrastructure Solutions Wells • Treatment • Disinfection Storage • Pumping • Distribution

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Quench — 2022 —Issue 2 23

TRWA News

2022 Photostream Contest Winners Change how you see Texas water with the category winners of our 2022 Photostream Contest. Thanks to all who entered, and stay tuned for the 2023 edition opening later this year.

Rural Texas Water

Water Infrastructure & Overall Winner

It takes real technical prowess to make a manhole cover shine, but Joel Moore manages it here, turning one of the simplest tools of the trade into a landscape in miniature.

Water Operators in Action

Moore knows his way around water; he's an assistant fire chief for the City of Bowie. This shot was taken of clean water emerging from the city's treatment plant. "I took the shot from a low perspective trying to lead your eyes to the door," Moore said. He compared the water's emergence to a Fountain of Youth or some other such mythical source.

This one's a man-made miracle.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these operators when a water emergency arises, as Nichol Everingham captures here.

24 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

Features

Survey Says...

TRWA's biennial Salary Survey and Rate Study is in the hands of systems across the state. Here's what makes your answers so valuable.

Help TRWA take the pulse of the all you have to do is contribute your rural water and wastewater utility utility's information to the dataset. industry by participating in our 2022 Salary Survey and Rate Study.

We understand that the survey asks for a lot of information, much of Your system is an employer and an which might be sensitive. To that invaluable provider of an essential end, we're implementing a number service in your local community, but of procedures designed to protect it's also part of a network of utili- the confidentiality of your entries: ties across Texas. This survey helps strengthen that statewide structure, • All returned surveys will be handled giving everyone a glimpse into what in the strictest confidence. their peers throughout the state are doing with regards to their employees • Survey information will be entered and their customers. There's no one- into a database without any indication size-fits-all approach to water and of the identity of the respondent. wastewater in Texas, but it’s helpful to compare your salaries and rates to • No information on any particular other utilities around the state with entity will be made available, only similar-sized systems. summaries and averages will appear on the final reports.

The more utilities that participate, the more helpful the survey is to every- • Access to the survey forms will be one. As an incentive to completing strictly limited to two TRWA staff this survey, all utilities that participate members who will enter the informaget it for free. If you'd like to have tion into a secure database. a free look at the state of water and wastewater utilities in Texas, then • After the information has been

captured and verified, all survey response forms will be destroyed.

Paper copies of the Salary Survey and Rate Study have been distributed to member systems throughout the state. They can be returned by mail at: TRWA 1616 Rio Grande St. Austin, TX 78701 or by faxing them to (512) 472-5186.

Alternatively, you may complete the survey online by visiting the link trwa.org/salaryrate22.

Regardless of which method you choose, surveys are due back at TRWA by August 15, 2022.

Make sure your system has completed its survey and returned it by this date so your information can be included and you can receive your complimentary copy of the results.

Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 25

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SPOTLIGHT T RWA's Technical Assistance Department consists of eight staff members who provide free training and hands-on assistance to qualifying water and wastewater system boards, councils, employees and consultants. Areas of training and assistance include technical operations, regulatory requirements, managerial issues, financial issues such as rate and fee calculations and planning and energy efficiency assessments.

Larry Bell Technical Assistance Director (512) 964-9234

William White Asst. Technical Assistance Director/Circuit Rider (512) 964-9234

Wastewater Technicians TRWA has two Wastewater Technicians in the field who assist wastewater systems across the state. They provide training workshops that address topics like wastewater operations and maintenance, testing procedures, rule updates, management, security and other topics as needed or requested that relate to wastewater. They also provide on-site technical assistance to small cities that have less than 10,000 population, nonprofit wastewater systems and districts. This assistance deals with operations, maintenance, collection systems, treatment facilities, rates, management, rule changes, state laws and other topics or situations that occur in the wastewater systems.

Alex Eaves Wastewater Technician (512) 964-7203

Nathan Cantrell Wastewater Technician (512) 924-7158

Energy Efficiency TRWA has one Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider on staff who specializes in conducting energy efficiency assessments at qualifying small water and wastewater systems and making recommendations that will affect their bottom line. Through this program, our Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider will work with your system to compile a report of recommended energy savings by identifying changes in operational procedures and replacement of older, less-efficient equipment. The assessments also include an estimated payback period for the recommended investments. This program is available to Texas water production and water distribution systems, as well as wastewater treatment and wastewater collection systems serving a population of 10,000 or less. In 2020, these recommendations totaled $162,182.59 in energy savings to small Texas water and wastewater utilities.

26 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3 26 Quench — 2022 — Issue 3

Charles Perkins Energy Efficiency Circuit Rider (512) 964-2108

CirCuit Riders James Smith Circuit Rider (512) 964-9234

Tony Moreno Circuit Rider (512) 924-4552

Paul King Circuit Rider (512) 913-9753

Since 1980, the Circuit Rider Program has been funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA–RD) to provide assistance to small communities for the operation of safe and clean drinking water supplies and compliance with water regulations. TRWA’s four Circuit Riders are in the field every day helping small cities with less than 10,000 population, nonprofit water supply corporations and water districts with a wide variety of technical assistance issues.

They provide hands-on training to board members, office staff and operators. They can help with all aspects of water utility operations, management, compliance and rates. They also assist utilities with evaluating alternative technological solutions and recommend operational improvements.

Circuit Riders can also provide leak detection and meter flow testing services upon request. If you would like a visit from your Circuit Rider, use our coverage map to determine who is assigned to your area, and give them a call!

EPA Training & Technical Assistance Through this EPA-funded program, TRWA is able to provide both on-site and classroom training to cities with less than 10,000 population, investor-owned utilities, non-profit WSCs and districts. This training and on-site assistance covers all topics and rules addressed in the Federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules relating to water systems. Some of these topics include Compliance with Disinfection Byproducts, Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, Lead Service Line Inventory requirements, Board Member training, Operator certification, other Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations and other processes used to provide safe drinking water to customers. There are usually between two and 10 training sessions conducted statewide that range from four to seven hours in length. These training sessions are approved by the TCEQ for water operator renewal credit hours. Larry Bell implements the EPA Training & Technical Assistance Program.

Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 27 Quench — 2022 —Issue 3 27

TRWA Briefs Emerging Leaders program graduates its third class

Members of TRWA's third class of Emerging Leaders pose at RuralWaterCon in April. Pictured include Glenda Gamboa, North Alamo WSC; Tanya Brooks Warnasch, SS WSC; Christy Sanchez, North Alamo WSC; Michael Saldana, Canyon Regional Water Authority; David Strauss, East Medina County SUD; Ryan Pingenot, Mustang SUD and Carlos Sanchez, North Alamo WSC. Not pictured are Manuel Mujica, North Alamo WSC; Josh Smith, Kingsland WSC and Kimberly Zamora-Sachs, Green Valley SUD. TRWA's Emerging Leaders Program is a nine-month long professional development and networking program for up-andcoming leaders in the Texas rural water industry. The program enhances leadership skills and prepares participants to be active and engaged community leaders and advocates for rural water issues. The next Emerging Leaders cohort will begin in 2023.

Join the conversation at: www.facebook.com/TexasRuralWaterAssn

Find us at @TexasRuralWater for industry and legislative news relevant to you!

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Pittsburg Tank & Tower Maintenance Co., Inc......17 Russell Drilling Co., Inc........................................15 Texas Aquastore................................................14 SAMCO.............................................................. 11 Smith Pump Co., Inc………………...…………………..29

Upcoming District Meetings

TRWA provides EPA Wastewater Technical Assistance & Training

We've got six TRWA District Meetings currently scheduled for the summer and fall months. Find one near you, whether it's in your district or not, and join us for training, networking, lunch and door prizes.

TRWA offers wastewater help through the Environmental Protection Agency's Training and Technical Assistance for Small and Rural Wastewater Systems program, established under the Clean Water Act. This program covers training for wastewater treatment and collections, wastewater system assessments, assistance with capital improvement planning and public education and workshops designed to inform the community or decision-makers about the needs of the system.

For more information and to register for the meetings, please visit www.trwa.org/district-meetings.

We're excited to have this opportunity to see members from throughout the state.

This program can include hands-on training at systems or two- or four-hour workshops for wastewater personnel from multiple utilities. Assessments can help determine if SOPs need to be updated or created for O&M, as well as providing a third-party evaluation on needed capital improvement projects.

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District 8 - August 3 Teague District 2 - August 25 Davis Mountains State Park

Community education workshops can help influence decision makers and can positively impact stakeholder support for capital improvements. It can also be opportunity to educate the public on proper disposal of items into the wastewater system.

The EPA Wastewater Technical Assistance and Training Grant allows TRWA to provide this service for free to wastewater systems that meet either of the following criteria: • •

Treat up to 1 MGD of wastewater Serve a population of 10,000 or less

District 13 - September 21 Orange

Assistance is available for all types of systems such as investor-owned utilities, WSC’s, districts, etc.

District 5 - September 22 Matagorda

For mo r e infor mation on this pr og r a m o r t o s i g n u p f o r a s s i s t a n c e, v i s i t www.trwa.org/wastewatertechprogram.

District 3 - October 5 Granbury District 1 - October 26 Amarillo

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Advocacy Corner We're still nearly six months from the convening of the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, but TRWA's advocacy and regulatory efforts for our members don't stop during the interim. Here's how TRWA has been working for you at the state and federal levels during the past few months: • We wo r k e d w i t h o u r Texas Congressmen’s offices and two U.S. Senators’ offices to achieve the goals of our National Rural Water Association’s Rural Water Rally in Washington D.C. T hese were to fund prog r a m s t h r o u g h t h e U. S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Labor for rural water and wastewater infrastr ucture, on-site technical assistance and training, and workforce development/ apprenticeship.

• In May, TRWA staff testified at two hearings before the Texas Senate Committee

on Water, Agriculture and Ru r a l A f f a i r s a t t h e r e quest of Committee Chair Charles Perry. Membership and Environmental Services Director Jason Knobloch addressed aging infrastructure and water loss, while Professional Development & Training Director Nichol Everingham testified about the Association's Registered Apprenticeship Program and our work helping rural systems find qualified applicants for positions at their water and wastewater utilities.

• We have been engaged with legal proceedings at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). We filed two Amicus Briefs on legal issues that may have an impact on our members. One pertained to what amount of water is considered a reasonable demand that a utility is required to provide. Another pertained to whether the Commission in a rate appeal case should evaluate whether a water supply corporation board decided

Don't Forget! t e!

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correctly to engage lawyers to defend the WSC in a legal matter and whether those legal fees should be allowed to be recovered through rates.

• We have been working with the Texas Water Development Board to request funding from the Texas legislature to assist small utilities with filling out loan and grant applications and assisting them through the funding process.

We’re also working with the Board to request funding be allocated to the Rural Water Assistance Fund specifically for replacement of aging lines and other infrastructure needs in rural Texas.

• We filed comments on two rule packages. The first was on the PUC’s proposed rulemaking implementing SB 3, pertaining to billing issues during an extreme weather event. The second was pertaining to Texas Department of Transportations’ proposed rules on utility infrastructure in right-of-ways.

Asset s ' B D for TW s July 21. n o i t a c ppli . ram i a g r o r u p o y ampss s t b i m d e m t w b t s / e to su for Small Sy sit trwa.org n i l d a e Vi The d anagement M

The Months Ahead Here's a look at a small sample of the events TRWA has scheduled for the next two months. To see more trainings, regional meetings, conferences and more, visit www.trwa.org/event_calendar

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July 13-14

2022 Training & Technical Conference

July 26-28 Wastewater Collections in Harlingen & Virtual Water Distribution

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August 15

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Deadline to return your Salary & Rate Survey See page 25.

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August 25

District 2 Meeting Indian Lodge Davis Mountains State Park

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1616 Rio Grande| Austin, TX 78701-1122 Telephone: (512) 472-8591 | Fax: (512) 472-5186 www.trwa.org